Lucky Obukohwo, Reporting
Edo State High Court sitting in Benin City, presided over by Justice G. O. Imadegbelo has ordered the forfeiture of two Mercedes Benz GLK350 recovered from Osarumwense and Ugochukwu being proceeds of crime to the Federal Government of Nigeria.
The duo are among the 24 persons the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Benin Zonal Command said its secured their conviction and sentencing to jail for their involvement in internet fraud in Edo State.
The convicts are : Azubuike Godwin, Ejike Prince, Ebeli Onyeishi Precious, Uboh Nelson, Henry Frank Aizeyosagbov, Jeremiah Osazuwa Bright, Aigbovibosa Osarumwense, Destiny Osagie Monday, Kindrick Ugochukwu, Daniel Kenedy Evun, Orobosa Elvis Nosakhare, Eleadi Nice Chibueze, Edidiong Ndifreke, Stephen Holiness, Iyamu Edosa David, Nosakhare Aigbovibosa.
Others are Raymond Clinton Osariemen, Uhumona Destiny Osayomwenbor, Amos Godwin, Odion Victor, Ayomide Michael, Elijah Akpan Effiong, Tive David Enaike and Ofuma Uche Bright.
The EFCC said the convicts were arrested by operatives of the Benin Zonal Command of the commission based on actionable intelligence regarding their involvement in computer-related fraud.
They were prosecuted by the command at different days in the month of July on separate one-count charges bordering on impersonation, obtaining by false pretence and possession of fraudulent documents.
The charge against Osarumwense reads: “That you Aigbovibosa Osarumwense (M) on or about the 25th of Day of June, 2024 in Benin City, Edo State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did have in your possession documents which you knew or ought to have known contain false pretence thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 6 and 8 (b) of the Advance Fee Fraud and other Fraud Related Offences Act 2006 and punishable under Section 1(3) of the same Act.”
The EFCC said all the defendants pleaded guilty to their respective charges when they were read to them in court, prompting the prosecution counsel, F. A. Jirbo, I. M Elodi, I.K Agwai, K.Y. Bello and Ahmed Salihu and Bala Ribah to pray the court to convict and sentence them accordingly.
However, counsel to the defendants pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy as they have become remorseful for their actions.
Justice Imadegbelo on Tuesday, July 2 convicted and sentenced Godwin, Prince, Precious and Nelson to three years imprisonment or a fine of N100, 000 each.
On July 10, 2024, he convicted and sentenced Aizeyosabor, Bright, Osarumwense, Monday, Nosakhare, Chibueze, Holiness to three years imprisonment or a fine of N100,000 while the trio of Ugochukwu, Evun and Ndifreke bagged two years imprisonment or a fine of N100,000 each.
Justice Imadegbelo on Thursday, July 11 convicted and sentenced David to two years imprisonment or a fine of N100,000 while Aigbovibosa bagged five years imprisonment or a fine of N100,000.
On Wednesday, July 17, Justice Imadegbelo convicted and sentenced the duo of Osariemen and Destiny to two years imprisonment or a fine of N100,000 each.
On Wednesday July 24, the judge convicted and sentenced Godwin, Victor, Michael, Effiong and Bright to community service while Enaike bagged three years imprisonment or a fine of N200, 000 each.
All the convicts forfeited their phones, laptops and balances in their various bank accounts being instruments and proceeds of crime to the Federal Government of Nigeria.
They were also mandated to undertake in writing to be of good behaviour afterwards.